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Secretary Wynne: Rumsfeld Helped Reshape Air Force

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2006  Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld changed the way the military thinks about defense during his six years at the Pentagon, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne said.

Wynne worked with Rumsfeld three times at the Defense Department and in his current job. "In each case I learned a lot about leadership, forthrightness and attention to detail," Wynne said after yesterday’s announcement that Rumsfeld will leave his Pentagon post.

At a White House news conference yesterday, President Bush said he and Rumsfeld agreed it was time for a change of Pentagon leadership. The president will nominate Robert M. Gates to replace the secretary. Gates is a former director of central intelligence and current president of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Rumsfeld's "acumen led the Air Force to become lean, lethal and agile, expanding our mission areas for a stronger joint team," Wynne said. "His vision has not only made our Air Force more efficient, but has strengthened the entire Department of Defense and our nation," Wynne said. "The department will miss his leadership."

Wynne said he’s looking forward to working with Gates. “He will undoubtedly bring ideas fused with years of experience from various national security roles," Wynne said.